In 343 AD the scaenae
was renovated and the orchestra was altered so that it
could hold aquatic displays. In the later years of the
Roman Empire the orchestra was converted into a cellar.
Renovation work since 1977 has restored many of the
arches and a portion of the stage floor. Prior to this
date, the stage as well as its arched support system lay
in ruins. Recent archaeological evidence shows that the
theatre was in use through the 5th and into the 6th
century AD. In 532 AD the scaenae, which had been
weakened by seismic activity, was repaired.

The
theatre at Hierapolis has some of the best-preserved
decorative features of any theatre in Turkey.
Several
decorative friezes from the elaborate scaenae frons have
survived intact. One shows Emperor Septimus Severus in
procession with his family and the gods, with an
inscription and dedication. Another illustrates the life
of Dionysus, from his birth through his journeys in Asia.
He is depicted riding in a carriage pulled by leopards,
with an entourage of satyrs, sileni, and bacchantes, as
well as the gods Pan and Priapus. The third frieze shows
a procession and sacrifice to the goddess Artemis and the
punishment of Niobe and her children by Artemis and
Apollo.